4.5⭐️ Wow, I truly could not put this book down! I devoured this book, like neglected-all-responsibilities-to-read-this-in-two-days devoured. I haven’t read a King Arthur retelling quite like this. I really liked the uniqueness of it.

The plot was really intriguing. The fae court can only have one heir, and as twins were birthed, and Veyka being second born and without powers, was locked away and tortured by her mother in hopes to instill powers in her. Once Arthur become king, he frees Veyka and locks mommy dearest away. That is until he dies and Veyka is betrothed to the Brutal Prince. I really enjoyed their chemistry, while I was a bit confused why Veyka hated Arran, I can chalk it up to her PTSD, hatred for being crowned Queen, and him being in closest proximity. Their enemies to lovers plot line was great. I thought the second go around of the enemies part could have been dragged out a bit, but by that time I already knew they were mates so I understand why all was forgiven so quick.

Veyka is a badass FMC, whom I obviously don’t believe is powerless. I’m sure she has mind reading capabilities and is of decent that had not been seen for hundreds of years. But we gotta get that chosen one trope in here some how. Also, what happened to the mom? I need to know where she has been

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, will definitely be recommending to those who like ACOTAR, Legendborn, any type of smutty-fae-romantasies, and will hopefully be approved for an eARC of book 2 because that cliffhanger 🤯 *cough cough*

Huge thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC I’m exchange for an honest review

I received an ARC of this book from the author through Netgalley. All I can say is, WOW! First of all, I love the cover, and in this case, you can judge a book by its cover. I didn't want to put this book down for a second, and when I did, it tortured my mind, distracting me from anything else I needed to pretend to be doing. I suspected it would end on a cliffhanger, and it does, but for some reason, it doesn't bother me. Truly, the new wrinkle introduced at the end could not have been solved in the pages of this book. It's a story that requires multiple volumes.

Veyka Pendragon is Arthur's twin sister and they are both members of the elemental fae, living in Annwyn. The heir to the throne, Arthur, has been promised to a terrestrial fae in a generations-long agreement to avoid a war between the two factions. But that doesn't work out, so it falls too Veyka to become queen, and a new betrothed is chosen for her. Neither she nor Arran Earthborn are thrilled about this, but Arran seems more duty-oriented than she, who is focused primarily on revenge. She has secrets that lead her to conclude she should not be queen, but she must keep them secret because to reveal them could lead to all-out war.

The story is jam-packed with Palace intrigue, fight scenes, sex, and a simmering relationship forming between Veyka and Arran that neither expected. There are several attempts on Veyka's life, and although she is well-equipped to defend herself, she discovers that she can rely on Arran.

I think Arran was my favorite character because I loved the narrative when told from his POV. He is not given to histrionics or strong emotions, so when he describes Veyka from across the room at an event, it made me laugh. He sums it up by thinking, "If I didn't get inside her soon, I was going to die." A minute later, as he continues to peruse her body, he thinks, " She was actively trying to kill me now, I decided." There was also this that I thought was cleverly worded: “She dared them to look at her and judge her wanting. I looked at her, and all I did was want.”

One of the quotes from the book that I liked, more from a words-of-wisdom POV, and not something I haven't heard before (but we can always use reminders), was "... power was not the same as strength." Veyka, who was born without any fae magic is proof of this adage. Of course, there are plenty of hints about what kind of magic may be hiding within her, and I'm excited to read the next installment and find out.

Loved this book!! Can't wait to continue reading books by this author. Excellent characters and world building. I loved the lore and world building and use of magic. The descriptions of the architecture and of the surroundings are done well, easy to visualize! Definitely would recommend this book.

4.5 ⭐️/5.0
3.0 🌶️/5.0

Wow. This book is so good. Do you want to start a new epic, Arthurian-fae, dark, adult fantasy series? Here it is. The chemistry between Veyka and Arran is *CHEFS KISS* The slow unraveling of the history and backstory of the characters of Annwyn is deliciously tortuous. The spicy scenes between Veyka and Arran are both hot and beautifully told. I want to read book 2 IMMEDIATELY!!! Unfortunately, we have to wait until December 2023 for the second book. 🥲

At its heart, Crown of Earth and Sky is a love story between two individuals who endured emotionally scarring childhoods in their respective fae courts: Elemental and Terrestrial. They built up walls to protect themselves, understandably so, and now they are thrust together to rule over Annwyn, thanks to an ancient pact created by their ancestors. And when I say thrust together…. I mean arranged marriage. Lol

We Get:
Arranged Marriage
Forced Proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Arthurian Fae Fantasy Realm
Dual POV
Court Politics and Intrigue
Spicy Adult Scenes
MINE!

Recommend if you like a steamy, dark, fae fantasy read for adults. Both main characters are dealing with their individual trauma, but slowly you get more information to see what made Veyka and Arran the fae they are today. This does end in a cliffhanger, but December isn’t too far away. I cannot stress enough how the heat between V and A is just smoldering; there are so many times when I thought “please bang it out” because the sexual tension between the two is so intense. This is a complete fantasy world that has so much to reveal. If any of what I vaguely described (as to not give away anything) sounds remotely interesting, please read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. My review is voluntarily provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was entertaining. The first half of it definitely got me interested in the plot and characters, however, the second half kind of fell flat for me. It felt drawn out and took me a week to read due to how, almost repetitive, it felt. I didn't really fall in love with any of the characters either, they were just there. I think Arron could've been more comforting, he felt very hypocritical and kinda...eh?

Some things I enjoyed was that it wasn't cheesy, which I really appreciated. Also the magic system was great. Lastly I liked how unafraid of killing the character were.

Overall a 3.3/5 for me. Thanks NetGalley for the digital copy.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this and am now really looking forward to book 2 as I think I'll like it even more.
I'm not a huge fan of spice, but those scenes were really skippable without taking away from the book, so while it is spicy, I wouldn't be put off reading it because of that as you can skip it too.
I love any sort of Arthur re-telling and this was no exception to that.
My one critique would be that some world building happened towards the last third of the book and that could have come a lot sooner but think book 2 will pick up from it all really easily.
While I found the beginning a little difficult to get into, I fled through the end and was hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. This was a great read! Some tropes include: morally gray hero, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, who did this to you, fae fantasy romance. MANNNNNN the MMC!!! I was so obsessed with this book! Before reading, you should know that this is high steam! Like high steam! Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot.

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be delicious. I ate this book up and would definitely say fans of Romantasy would absolutely love it!

I'm talking Fae, a fair bit of Smut with plenty of action and a bad ass female lead. There's a lot to like here, with a morally grey love interest known as the brutal prince. I mean, come on, what more could you need?

This is based on Arthurian legend, which I personally love. It did seem quite long in places, so the pacing threw me a little but was definitely redeemed by that ending! I absolutely need book 2 now! I bloody love a cliffhanger, and the ending is definitely that!,

I am extremely grateful to have received this book! It was absolutely phenomenal!

Emberly Ash was able to make this story flow so beautifully. The world building mixed in with the story in the most effortless way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It keeps you on your toes and guessing the whole way through. This story has a slight retelling of King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table. It has fae, magic and animal shifters.
The world building is what kept me hooked and the story held me captivated. The story takes place on the Annwyn Continent, which is dominated and inhabited by its own realm; elementals and terrestrials. The elementals has elemental magic. There are fae with powers of water, air, ice, and so on. They have all except the power of earth which belongs to the terrestrial fae. Terrestrial fae can in fact shapeshift or control animals, or bend vegetation to their will. .

Veyka, elemental Princess, is the new Queen of Annwyn, a role she never wanted. Arran, The Brutal Prince, terrestrial, has been chosen to rule by Veyka's side as King of Annwyn. Throughout this book is a lot go growing, change and understanding. The world Emberly created had me enthralled beginning to end. A world with many secrets and traitors has Veyka watching her back even against the people she's suppose to trust.

The chemistry between Arran and Veyka was entertaining and hot. Veyka has this sass, stubborn, sneakiness to her that makes me love her! Arran has this dark, grumpy, bossy vibe that is down right attractive. Both are beautifully written and given this undeniable attraction to one another that neither want, but can't resist.

Go and read this book you will not be disappointed! Watch out for that cliff hanger though! Emberly knows how to captivate us and then drop and a bomb so big it'll have you looking for the rest of the book!

Well done Emberly Ash!

This book is AMAZING! If you have made it this far, just read the book. I promise its great and if you disagree please email me!

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First Person- Multiple POV

Enemies to Lovers
Who did this to you
Touch her and die
Arranged Marriage
Fated Mates
Found Family
Great Spice!
King Author Retelling

I received an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review, however a few chapters in I knew I was going to be obsessed with this book! I ordered a physical copy as soon as they were available, before finishing the ARC. I have been an avid reader my whole life, primarily fantasy. I started reading romantasy this year and consider myself pretty critical of the romantasy books out there. I generally need good world building, solid magic system, or to just become utterly obsessed with the characters to enjoy a book. Thankfully this book checked all of the boxes! Emberly Ash has obtained a life long fan! I stayed up until 1 am to finish this book and I had to work the next day. I am a data analyst and lets just say I didn't get much done the next day as this was all I thought about!

Also Arran is now a the top of by book boyfriend list!

"That is your mistake, Arran. You assume that your soul is the only one that is ruined. Bust listen when I tell you... This thing within me, if it is a soul, is blacker than the starless night about the Split Sea. And no one can save me not even you. Because I do not wish to be saved."

"What do I want? A quick death. Barring that, I only dream of one thing- Revenge."

I love the idea of a fae retelling of the Arthurian legend, and this book did not disappoint. Veyka is unexpectedly thrust into the position of Queen after the death of her brother, King Aurthur. A position that she doesn't want nor is she ready for. Faced with her grief and desperate to figure out who killed her brother, Veyka is unprepared to meet Arran. Also known as the Bloodthristy Prince, Arran is the most powerful fae in a thousand years, gifted with strong magic and the ability to shapeshift. He is also Veyka's betrothed. As the two battle their feelings for each other they must also learn to work together to discover the evil threatening their kingdom.

This book was exactly what I needed to read. It drew me in from the beginning, starting with action and immediately jumping into the story, and it continued like this throughout the book. If the will they won't they between the two main characters wasn't captivating me, it was something about this world and the magic used within it that kept my attention. And the story continues this way until the very end, when OF COURSE it ended on a cliff hanger that made me groaning. In a good way of course, I just don't want to wait to find out what happens next!

The characters in this were great. Veyka was amazing, strong and independent and overall just super relatable. Arran was what you expect from the male love interest, in all the best ways. The side characters were great but I would have loved to see a little more of them. I feel like I just got a glimpse and right when I was starting to get a feel for them I wouldn't get a good scene with them for a while.

Overall this series was great and I can't wait for the sequel to come out!

Mind-blowing, truth-wielding power upon the page. There are so many facets to this story that I don’t know where to begin. This story held me in an inescapable death grip of pure, tortuous angst. The depth of anguish explored brings a clarity to the mental health represented in this book. Behind a story of mythology and fantasy is a powerful message of healing and self-worth. The darkness that inhabits Veyka is an important character in itself, showing the damage that can be wrought within one’s own mind. How well self-doubt can drag you under while you claw your way back to reality. Each and every character is written with such depth. Stunning layers that make it impossible to rightly know where loyalties lie and who is good vs. bad. There were moments I expected, but all the great shifts in the story caught me completely off guard. To me, this is a sign of a truly gifted storyteller. When you feel betrayal to the depth of your bone right alongside the protagonist. When your heart breaks at each loss, fighting to contain tears. (I failed at that! There were plenty of tears, making it difficult to even see the page.) I felt such a connection to these characters that it actually hurts to close the book,to say goodbye even temporarily to this group of dynamic, relatable and sensational characters. The evolution of the match between Arran & Veyka ran the gauntlet. I don’t think there was a single emotion that was missed along this journey. That expression is the perfect descriptor for Veyka & Arran, “ran the gauntlet”, it’s synonymous with “going through Fire and Water”, marching up to the cannons mouth”, “taking one’s life in one’s hand”… I don’t think I could find better words to describe their relationship. These two butt heads constantly but come together in a fiery passion when push comes to shove. I am on tenterhooks awaiting the next book. The conclusion has left me in mental coma which I fear I can’t shake, a perfect cliffhanger, hitting its mark dead-on. There is no way I will miss the next book for I must know what comes next.

This book was a literal chef's kiss! It was interesting, fun, and had me hooked from start to finish!

A King Arthur retelling with shifters? I mean you couldn't have hooked me faster than that. It was so well done and the characters were top tier. They were fun, strong, smitten and I loved every gosh darn minute of it.

Emberly does an incredible job with this retelling, where I knew in the back of my mind it was a retelling but it read so well on its own and in its own space that I loved it even more that way. The shifters, the fae, the fantasy were so well done and so much fun to read. I loved this book and I'll be thinking about it frequently. And that cliff hanger? Book two cannot come soon enough!!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🌟📚 Book Review: "Crown of Earth and Sky" 📚🌟

If you're in the mood for a captivating fantasy romance that delves into the depths of revenge, secrets, and the complexities of power, "Crown of Earth and Sky" is an absolute must-read.

From the very first page, the story immerses you in a world where Veyka Pendragon, the new Queen of the Elemental Fae, grapples with a burning desire for one thing: revenge. Her ascension to the throne was nothing short of a circus, a charade that conceals the treacherous plots of her own court. As she navigates this perilous realm, she must also safeguard a dangerous secret.

The arrival of her betrothed, the enigmatic Brutal Prince, Arran Earthborn, adds another layer of intrigue to the story. Arran is no ordinary fae; he's the strongest terrestrial fae in centuries. The fate of their world hinges on their union, yet Arran's brutality and the threat he poses to Veyka's secrets create a tension that electrifies the narrative.

What makes "Crown of Earth and Sky" truly exceptional is its reimagining of the Arthurian legend in a dark and steamy fantasy romance setting. The Arthurian elements are skillfully woven into the plot, adding a layer of familiarity for fans of the legend while offering a fresh and inventive twist.

The writing style is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a world where choices are fraught with consequences. Veyka's inner turmoil and her struggle to choose between her duty and her desire for revenge are palpable, making her a deeply relatable and complex character.

This book isn't just a romance; it's a thrilling journey into a world where power and passion collide, where secrets have the potential to reshape everything, and where choices carry the weight of kingdoms. The dark elements in the narrative add depth and intensity, creating a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In "Crown of Earth and Sky," author Emberly Ash has masterfully crafted a tale that combines fantasy, romance, and mythology in a way that leaves a lasting impression. If you're looking for a fantasy romance with a deliciously dark edge and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end, do not miss this captivating read. It's a crown jewel in the realm of twisted mythology retellings. 👑🌌❤️ #CrownOfEarthAndSky #FantasyRomance #BookReview

I could not get into this book, it didn't keep my attention. I really thought I would like it, but for some reason I have a hard time liking retellings. The cover is really cute and the description was really intriguing, just not my type of book. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

what an amazing book!! I was hooked from page one by the characters and setting. I loved the concept of Arthur's retelling mixed with Fae, the fact that the FMC is actually a warrior and most of all that we have here two morally gray main characters! I mean, Veyka and Arran are just perfect and it was endearing to see how their relationship evolved and how much they care for each other.

I'm looking forward to know how they will handle things in the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing a copy in exchange of an honest review.

Angsty and bloodthirsty. Major perks to the author for adding trigger warnings at the beginning. We love an author that’s self aware!

Overall this was a fun read and the romance pretty steamy. This was very fast paced so at times it WAS a tad confusing. I would find myself wondering how the characters even ended up where they were because it all happened so fast. Slight enemies to lovers, revenge, King Arthur retelling (sort of) if those are your cup of tea this is for you.

2 stars
DNF 30%
I was so excited to read this book! I loved the premise and I think that this had the potential to be a great book. It just wasn't for me.

So much happens in the first 20% of the book that I lost track of what was actually going on. The main character Veyka just frustrated me, she had such a CBA attitude to anything and everything (obviously for good reason), but I just couldn't connect to her. Also, the politics of the court were lost on me as I didn't feel like I had enough background history of the area.
Thank you so much NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💚

Wow, what a great story!
I was hooked from start to finish. This book had an all of my favourite tropes, top of the list was enemies to lovers! And that cliff hanger😆
I absolutely cannot wait until December for book 2! I hope I can get an ARC again!
This was absolutely one of my favourite reads this year, it had my mind reeling at all of the possibilities of the ending, and it was not what I expected!
A great book to read if you love romance or fantasy! I’ve recommended this to everyone!
Thank you Emberly for a fantastic novel!

OK I need book 2 like yesterday!! That cliffhanger killed me.

I loved this book. Vekya was so compelling - forced into being queen during her time of immense grief AND secretly seeking revenge for the death of her brother kept me turning the pages. Then you have Arran who is a powerful, sexy, warrior who is now arranged to be married to Vekya and the tension between them is steamy! There was romance, mystery and secrets, trauma and grief, and a bit of a pride and prejudice/enemies to lovers vibes.

This book really set up a lot of the next book in the series and I can't wait to dive in!